How to Choose the Best Weight Loss Supplement

There are so many details to consider when looking for the best weight loss supplement it can be overwhelming. At the end of the day, we’re all just looking for the product that’s going to help us achieve our goals without negatively affecting our lives in some other way, it’s easy to see why you can go into decision paralysis.

We’ve put together this comprehensive guide to how you can find the best weight loss supplement for you and finally achieve the health and body you’ve always wanted. We also recommend reading our guide on the top 10 weight loss supplements on the market today.

Effectiveness

The most important factor on peoples’ minds when shopping around for a weight loss supplement is whether it actually works, and for good reason! There are plenty of snake oils out there that tout stellar results, only to do little or nothing for you. And if you’ve ever purchased and tried one of these products in the past, you’ll know how incredibly frustrating it is to have your hopes dashed by a useless product.

But not every weight loss supplement’s effectiveness is as clear cut as that. Some supplements simply work better for some people but not others, or work in conjunction with a lifestyle change.

For example, glucomannan is a fiber found in the roots of the elephant yam and works by absorbing water and making you feel full for longer periods of time, causing you to eat less calories. But some people might feel more or less full than others when consuming this fiber and consequently eat more or less than others taking it.

Still, most weight loss supplements have had some scientific studies done to test their effectiveness on helping people lose weight, and it’s important to at least stay informed on a few of these studies before going with a weight loss supplement.

Another factor to consider is that different weight loss supplements will cause different amounts of weight loss, so whether you’re looking to lose a lot of weight or a modest amount of weight will affect your decision on which product you choose to buy.

For example, caffeine alone has been shown to cause modest amounts of weight loss, while PhenQ has been shown to cause significant amounts of weight loss. While both are effective, which one you choose will depend on your weight loss goals.

Cost

Another important factor in weight loss supplements is cost, because no one wants to break the bank by trying to lose weight. Most supplements will fall somewhere between $0.15/day and $3.00/day cost, but cheaper isn’t always better.

As with anything else in life, you get what you pay for, and oftentimes the cheapest products are the ones that show modest to no results (not always, of course, but there seems to be a trend here). Raspberry Ketones, for example, are only about $0.20/day (depending on the brand you choose), but nearly all the studies done on this supplement have been done on rats and not humans, so more evidence is needed before we can definitively say it’s effective. PhenQ, on the other hand, comes in at an average price of about $1.55/day, but has been proven to deliver results.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in comparing the costs of different weight loss supplements, but it’s also important to compare the costs of different methods of weight loss. For example, consider the cost of a monthly gym membership, meal replacement products or exercise equipment – all of these are likely more expensive than just about any weight loss supplement you’ll buy.

Side Effects

There’s no such thing as a free lunch, and as with anything we’re always wondering “What’s the catch?” With any weight loss supplement. The reality is that most supplements do have some sort of side effect, some being worse than others.

Many weight loss supplements that contain several ingredients will contain caffeine, which is an effective weight loss supplement by itself, but can cause sleeping problems when taken near bedtime. If you’ve had issues with caffeine and sleep disturbance in the past, take note of any supplement that may contain this ingredient (and that doesn’t mean you can’t just properly time when you take it each day).

Many products will already have studies that show what side effects can be experienced when taking them, and it’s highly encouraged that you seek these out before purchasing.

Finally, some people are affected more by some side effects and not others. For example, the fiber glucomannan can cause bloating, flatulence and soft stools (a typical side effect of fibers in general) and may be stronger in some individuals than others.

Long term potential

We tend to get caught up in the short term benefits of weight loss supplements and just can’t weight to finally shed those pounds we’ve been sick of carrying. But it’s important to consider the long term potential of these supplements as well and whether they’ll be effective or sustainable into the future.

The reality is that most people who lose weight will regain it again, and this has a lot to do with our short-term vision and planning around weight loss. This is fine if you’re just looking to lose some weight for a wedding or special occasion, but let’s be real, most people would prefer to lose the weight and keep it off forever.

Some weight loss supplements have a limit on how long you can take them for. For example, it’s recommended that you don’t take Orlistat(Alli) for longer than six months. PhenQ, on the other hand, doesn’t have a limit on how long you can take it for. Therefore, the long-term potential for weight loss is probably greater for PhenQ than it is for Orlistat.

Personal Factors

While some factors such as cost and effectiveness apply to just about everyone, there are always some factors specific to the individual. For example, to a vegan the best weight loss supplement must also be vegan friendly.

And someone on certain medications will want to be aware of any potential negative interactions between a weight loss supplement and their medications. All of this is specific to you, but don’t buy a weight loss product just because everyone else is. What is right for them might not be right for you.